Ankara: The Lebanese army announced Tuesday the initiation of its troop deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a town in the Nabatieh region, marking the commencement of the first phase of a U.S.-mediated framework agreement with Israel. This deployment is part of a strategic effort by Lebanese forces to establish security in the southern regions of the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, the army's engineering regiment has entered the town, conducting thorough field surveys to detect any explosives or remnants left by the Israeli army. This step is crucial for ensuring the safety of the area ahead of a full deployment of Lebanese forces. The Lebanese army has instructed residents to avoid traveling to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh until the situation stabilizes and to adhere to the guidance provided by the military units on the ground.

Local sources confirmed that the deployment follows the withdrawal of Israeli army forces and vehicles from the town. The U.S. State Department had announced the commencement of pilot zone operations in the Lebanese villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya under the framework agreement, which was signed between Lebanon and Israel last month.

This agreement outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, conditioned on the Lebanese army taking full security responsibility in these areas and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah. However, the agreement does not specify a timeline for the withdrawal's completion.

Official Lebanese figures report that Israeli attacks have resulted in 4,328 deaths and 12,227 injuries in Lebanon since March 2. Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, with some areas held for decades and others seized during the recent conflict between October 2023 and November 2024.